Sunday, August 28, 2011

A blustery day








I had a Winnie the Pooh childhood, what can I say? Blustery is the perfect word for today though. Dull, cool, overcast and windy.(30+ km/hour!!) So here is my Sunday for your enjoyment.Blueberry squares, Mad Men and nostalgia. I do enjoy the reminder of fall coming. I love summer, but layering sweaters and apple picking are probably my favourite things in the world. So, yes nostalgia again; I've realized summer is ending and I'm ok with that. It will be strange not going back to school...



That gaping hole would be my Mad Men snack + reheated coffee
It just occurred to me that I did in fact make myself a whole pan of these squares. In theory my family will have some too.



Oh Don Draper, you scaly!


Also, yesterday I made these: 

 




For CIBC's 'Run for the Cure', My Mom asked me to pimp out some old shoes (conveniently CANVAS Chucks) for my her (in honour of her friends.) It was hella fun! I'm a little out of practice for mixing paints though. I think they turned out great!




Sunday, August 7, 2011

Rain, rain, you cans stay

As rainy days go, the time to create is eminent. I was planning on a bike ride today, however I'm perfectly content designing and drawing instead. I have quite the collection actually this time!


Sickly humid out :( 
How I long for refreshing rain...


My camera doesn't do justice to the dreary sky, although the street looks pretty sad



1. A going - away card/booklet for my friend (who is venturing off to Denmark this week, thus I must send off a Melissa farewell




2. Anniversary card for my parents; I try to make it worthy to put up on a mantle as art every year, I've been succeeding thankfully. Although they ARE my parents...


3. Two additions to my portfolio! Funny enough, they're from my third year in college, however they're still pretty awesome, save some minor type corrections




I'm currently lounging in my bed, but when I do get up and at it, I shall upload these beauties for your peepers only








Later that day....
I am refuelled by copious amounts of coffee and foodnetwork; here are the photos to accompany: 

Going-Away booklet












Anniversary Card
Pam & Ed










Portfolio Pieces


Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival concept logo, t-shirt, poster







Children's Museum concept stationary + tickets











                           













Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Holy Macaroni!

Title inspired by my delicious recent dinner mmm....
I didn't post at all in July, and oddly enough I've been sending links to my bloggity like crazy. Realizing this I feel sad that I've become part of the blog-o-sphere and have been neglecting it. 
I've come to the conclusion I've been too occupied trying to 'make-it' ie find a flipping job. 


However, the whole reason I created this, was to force myself to have a daily/weekly art escape; an excuse to share my thoughts and whatnot about design/illustration. This post is more of an apology to myself I feel; I'm rectifying my neglect with a justified post. Herm, I truly have been busy though.


I'm a bit lazy in the scanning department at the moment, however soon to come will be updates and fabulous tidbits of awesome for your peepers.
Until then.....

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Quick Draw!

Huzzah! I have had an epiphany! Why do I toil with design, restricting myself with computer generated vector images? I love to draw. I love to create. I have spent endless hours recently ogling over other such creative minds and I have decided. Illustration. 
this brick wall represents the brick wall I hit en-route to my new-found euphoria of discovery.

I still know my way around Adobe CS, however I cannot tell you how happy I am to know that I don't HAVE to restrict myself. Why not draw for a living? If 7-year-old Melissa wanted to do it, why can't 21-year-old Melissa do it?
I hope someone can share my joy of discovering what truly makes you happy. Isn't that what life is all about?  

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Summer's here

I just have to say how embarrassing it is to show up to a portfolio review dripping with sweat. Or atlas on the cusp of it. To any potential interviewees, I apologize in advance. It's hard to look nice and not sweat en route to an interview. I'm terribly, terribly sorry.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Copy Cat

I didn't want to do the  blog thing and just compile all kinds of wacky-intrest-specific links, but my life is not worthy of daily documentation; what else am I to post?
Als
o, I find it a tad pretentious when people do recite their entire day right down to their meals and bowel movements.  Therefore I can justify my copy-catting tendencies since the alternative is less desirable. 


Today's theme shall be cycling. I am feeling inspired and nostalgic towards the subject and think it's a good starting point.
Enjoy!



Note the fender is made of plastic and zip ties.


If only I didn't just get a new helmet...


Stumbled upon this:
on this:



inca a pan
delightful illustrator, just because

Sunday, May 22, 2011

The 1st Sunburn

You know it's getting warmer when the first sunburn sneaks its way onto your previously pasty body.  Of course no one notices during the day when preventative measures could have been made.  Of course you don't feel it's band-aide like ripping pain until it's too late. Of course, this is the long weekend.


Which brings me to another point; I have found myself unemployed during this festive first long weekend of the warmer season. It's not that I don't appreciate the cottage/cycling/running/burning/gluttony that represents these four days of civic holidays. It's just that the appreciation is not as fulfilling as if I was actually missing work or obligations. 


I'm actually a touch sad I cannot job hunt because everything is closed and no one is around. I know one day I'll look at this (hopefully next long weekend) and smite my self for being so lush about a weekend I don't even notice. Until then, HURRAY!








This my friends is a result of about 4 hours in direct sunlight sans sunscreen. In my defence I was only planning on being outside for 2 hours. Maybe 3.




Tuesday, May 10, 2011

On a more positive note...

I go through spurts of very little action to multiple events when it comes to job opportunities. In the past week, I've gotten my foot into 2 gallery doors, a call back AND an email response. I suppose my previous ranting wasn't entirely necessary, but this just goes to show how much things can change. 


As the weather is getting warmer, the desire to work in an office becomes less and less; however there's always lunch time. And the weekend. And I would be the type of person to ask to work outside. It's not like I'm going to run away...





I love sitting on the front porch far too much 
for my own good. Hence the sunburn I'm currently nursing.


With warm weather comes bike rides. 
100km this weekend, not too shabby.


I love love love blue skies. UV rays aren't so nice.


I know it's backwards, but you get the idea. Outdoor sketches/journal entries are always a good way to pass the time.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Employ'd

I have been doing the intense job-hunting thing for just over 2 months, and let me say it's exhausting. I may have taken a little break during Passover/Jay Peak holiday/Easter/this week...but I needed to ease into it right? 


I mean, I was entirely absorbed into it before but even that took a lot of forceful determination. I may be ranting and rambling, but I feel that others in my situation almost want to hear the pessimistic side of things. 


"Oh you'll find something." 
"Things happen for a reason!" 


These may be true, however it's not very encouraging when the person telling you is either employed/highly skilled or got their job back when people hired you on the spot. 


Sigh, one of these days I shall be employed, someone will love my art work and pay me for my awesome originality. Until then, I'll blog my days away.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Chag Pesach Sameach!

I have already had my share of matzo and it's only day 3 of Passover. 
I just wanted to wish all a Happy Passover; even if you're not Jewish, it's a great excuse to get together, learn about Moses and eat (and eat and eat and eat) and drink of course! (Four cups of wine's worth to be exact)
I feel like I haven't been as consistent with my blog as I envisioned myself to be; thus the well-wishes of Spring festivities!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

An Ode to G.Dawg






As I was looking through my files and photos to show off via my other blog pages,when I came across these fantastic odes to my grandpa. These pieces were made at two very different points of his life, however neither lack design passion and the utmost of granddaughter love. 


This piece was created as a mock-up for a magazine launch. I loved the juxtaposition of (very) old and new. You have to remember, my grandpa was an extremely tolerant man. This sideways hat-wearing, bandana-sporting senior has a long history of being brutalized by my brother and I. I was famous for pinning clothespins in his hair; while my brother would climb all over him as if it were a jungle gym. This sums of my experience with my grandpa perfectly; I am truly grateful I created this.




As the passage indicates, this is a passage one usually sees at a funeral. It is in fact, my personal addition to the funeral service. Like any creative person, I work best when under extreme emotion. This is how I deal with issues I face; I create. Be it hand-rendered or digital. This was my way of expressing my feelings. If you read closely, it says Grandpa Wilson throughout the passage; my way of making it more than a mass-produced generic and nameless piece of literature.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Salutations


I have discovered the ever important social media; I am starting slowly with this trend by producing this blog. I will use it as a compilation of little design treasures I stumble across, as well as as my own personal portfolio.  I have given up trying to make a functional website after bursting into tears during Flash class in college. (Thus making my trackpad slippery and useless, putting me further behind...)

I truly hope you enjoy my approach to design and all things aesthetically pleasing (and less so). Also, if you want to hire/contract me,  (please, only legitimate studios!) I won't say no to money.Ultimately, this is my way of exposing my creative mind digitally, enter my design desires.